Thursday, January 9, 2014

Slipcover Magic

Hello everyone!

The sun has been shining brightly outside this week and with that comes the realization that my slipcovers were dirty.  Time for a bath!

I wanted to share with you how I cover my furniture with the ready made slipcovers.  Some people aren't sure how to do it properly and I've been doing it for so many years, I could do it in my sleep now.  LOL!  

This is the reason I prefer slipcovers over plain upholstered furniture.  After seeing what gets on them, there is no way I would have a clean house with out using them!  It doesn't matter that they're white either.  All slipcovers will get dirty and show some wear after using them. I have used dark slipcovers before, but they tend to fade over time, so using white is the best option believe it or not!

So here we go!

My chair started out looking like this.

  
This chair is in excellent condition and isn't even dated, but I prefer to slipcover it anyway.  Now, I can't say that about some other pieces of my furniture.  LOL!  

After washing my slipcover in hot water and Tide detergent, I throw it in the dryer. After it's dried, pull it out and drape it over the chair.


It looks like a big hot mess at this point, doesn't it?

The first thing I do is find the front and back of the slipcover and then center it.  Then line up the front and back so it just touches the floor.  Then line up the arms. No tucking in at this point yet.





Now, you can start tucking in the excess fabric into the creases of the chair.  Smooth out wrinkles as you go.


Now, secure the back to be snug on the chair.  Most slipcovers either have ties or buckles like this one.


And voila!  You're done!  It looks clean, it smells clean.  There is no more dog hair either.  That is the magic of slipcovers!


So when people ask me how I keep my covers so clean, I just say it is the same way you keep your clothes clean or your car.  You just wash them!  It's like having a new piece of furniture too each time I do it.

I may never go back to regular upholstered furniture again.

Thanks for stopping by!

~ Kelly ~

27 comments:

Olive said...

I love them too. I use hot water, OxyClean and then detergent.

Lisa @ Texas Decor said...

I love that slipcovers can be washed over and over. They actually seem much more practical than upholstered furniture. Yours look great and I bet they smell great too. :)

Unknown said...

I love my slipcovers on my IKEA furniture. I have never had slipcovered furniture before, and I can't believe how great it is to know my furniture is actually clean to sit down on! I'll never go back to regular upholstery.

Unknown said...

We are looking for a slipcover for an arm chair. LUV the one you showed Kelly. Where did you get it if I may be so bold in asking. Have had slipcovers before, but for sofa's and loveseats. Never for an armchair before.LUV them!

Wanda said...

Thank YOU! I'm a visual learner and seeing that done in steps is so helpful. Being in the ministry for years, and in a small churches ~ no big paychecks, I had a lot of "hand-me-down" furniture. I used covers to hide old furniture and give it the color that matched. I wish I had seen your demonstration back then, but I did manage sticking and poking. Love the look.

Wanda said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Debra@CommonGround said...

they look great, you make it look easy!

Laura @ duke manor farm said...

Ha....What's so wrong with dirty and dog hair????

Marissa said...

Wow..
I have always wondered how they work and now I know. I wonder if when you sit and snuggle if they come apart?. I love the feeling of refreshed. and that sofa sure looks refreshed..
Thank you for sharing.

Dee ⚜️⚜️⚜️⚜️⚜️ said...

You make me wish I had slipcovers.

Art and Sand said...

My white slipcovers are in need of a good bath, but I don't dry them so I am waiting until next week when the weather will be a little warmer and I can hang them to dry.

My daughter commented on the fact that they seem to get dirty quickly and I pointed out that floral, dark, or plaid slipcovers would get just as dirty, you just notice it quicker with the white.

Junkchiccottage said...

Kelly,
This was great. I have a white slipcovered sectional and people always say how do you keep it clean and I say the same thing. You just wash it like you would anything else. I love mine and each time I wash it it comes out softer. Love slipcovers.
Kris

Something Nice and Pretty said...

This helps for when I wash my Extorp slipcovers...I love the chair even without the slipcover.:)

Linda said...

I had slip covers on mine, but I knew they would never wear out.So I removed them. Let the dogs jump on them and roll on them and dig then maybe, just maybe I will get knew.....

chateau chic said...

Your slipcovers look so fresh and like new!!
Mary Alice

White Lace and Promises said...

You make it look so easy. I had two slipcovers exactly like these that I paid $50 each for. I could not get them to work and sold them for $20 each. I love this! Why can't I get mine to look like that!

So sweet,
Bonnie

Linda said...

I want to slipcover something!! Anything!!!

Daniela @Frugal Aint Cheap said...

we have slipcovers on both sofa, loveseat and chair. We have the stretchy kind, and I love how snug it is on the furnitures. Slipcovers are a life saver when having children climbing and spilling stuff on it

ℳartina @ Northern Nesting said...

Looks good Kelly. I have white slips on the two chairs in my sitting room...LOVE them!!

Sherry @ No Minimalist Here said...

Kelly, Thanks for sharing this! I have been wanting the Ektorp sofa but was worried about getting the slip covers back on.
Hugs,
Sherry

Kim @ Savvy Southern Style said...

I forgot the chair is blue ticking. I love it, but I know you want your slips.

SImple and Serene Living said...

That is why I love slipcovers, too. Thanks for the tips. xo Laura

must love junk said...

Your chair/slipcover looks so 'farmhouse chic'! :)
Love it!
Susan

Heaven's Walk said...

I have slips on both of my sofas and chaise, Kelley. Wouldn't have it any other way - especially with pets in the house. :) I just washed mine this week, too. They look so much better - and smell so good!

xoox laurie

Unknown said...

You make it look so simple! I love the look of slipcovered furniture.

Amy at Ms. Toody Goo Shoes said...

WIth white, the added bonus is that I suppose you can bleach them. I want slipcovers in my future!

Anne said...

Your slip cover looks perfect on your chair...love the update.Thanks for sharing the how to tutorial on putting it back on.
xx
Anne